All India Tennis Association president Yashwant Sinha has expressed his displeasure over Rohan Bopanna's decision to opt out of the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan.
Sinha said that players should put national duty ahead of personal rankings, a release from the AITA said in New Delhi on Friday.
Bopanna pulled out of Feb 9-11 Asia-Oceania Group 1 first round tie in Namangan, Uzbekistan, expressing his wish to qualify to Grand Slams in doubles.
Sinha viewed Bopanna's withdrawal differently from that of Mahesh Bhupathi who had announced his non-availability for the tie earlier.
The former external affairs minister said that Bhupathi took his decision after consulting AITA general Secretary Anil Khanna who agreed that it would be appropriate to have young team for zonal matches with Leander Paes as playing captain.
Sinha also appreciated Paes' committment to the country.
He said that Paes' achievment of winning Olympic bronze medal in singles and being the highest medal winner from any country in Asian games was noteworthy and youngsters must try to emulate him.
